Sclerotome

A sclerotome is part of a somite, a structure in vertebrate embryonic

development. Sclerotomes eventually diferentiate into the vertebrae and
most of the skull. The caudal (inferior/lower) half of one sclerotome fuses with
the rostral (superior/upper) half of the adacent one to form each vertebra.
!rom their initial location within the somite, the sclerotome cells mi"rate
medially towards the notochord. These cells meet the sclerotome cells from
the other side to form the vertebral body. !rom this vertebral body,
sclerotome cells move dorsally and surround the developin" spinal cord,
formin" the vertebral arch. #ther cells move distally to the costal processes
of thoracic vertebrae to form the ribs.